Canaiolo is an Italian grape variety primarily used to make red wine in the Tuscany region of Italy. The grape variety is particularly known for its use in the production of the Chianti Classico wines, where it is often mixed with other varieties such as Sangiovese and Colorino to give a blend with a good balance between taste, aroma and tannins.
The Canaiolo grapes are known for producing wine with a soft taste and a mild aroma of red fruits, including cherries and raspberries. The grape variety tends to be a bit sensitive to pests and diseases and therefore requires regular care to maintain a high quality of the grapes.
Winemakers often use the Canaiolo grape to enhance the soft flavor and aroma characteristics of their wine and to counteract the tannins often present in grape varieties such as Sangiovese. Canaiolo grapes thrive best in warm and sunny climates and often ripen late compared to other grape varieties.
